Romane von driftingsoul

Portia’s POVThe heavy silence in the dining room lasted for a few long seconds. Marcelo was the first one to move. He broke the spell with a warm smile and stepped around the table."Dante," Marcelo said, his voice smooth and welcoming. "Your wife is stunning. You are a lucky man."Dante finally set his glass down on the table. His hand was steady, but those icy eyes of his didn't leave my face for a fraction of a second. The intense heat in his gaze lingered for a second before his cold, business mask slid right back into place."She is late," Dante said. His voice flat and uncompromising."Only by two minutes," I replied smoothly. I walked into the room, my emerald dress rustling softly against my ankles. I took a seat at the table, keeping my posture straight and elegant. "I had to ensure my presentation met your high standards."Dante’s jaw tightened at my remark, but he didn't call me out in front of his uncle. He sat down, signaling the staff to start serving the food."So, Por

Portia’s POVThe bright beam of the desk lamp pinned me in place. My heart hammered against my ribs in the silent room, but I forced myself to stand completely still. I refused to flinch or show him that I was afraid.Dante sat perfectly still in his chair, holding his glass."I asked you a question, wife," Dante repeated. His voice was lower now, a deep growl that made the room feel tight. "Looking for something?"I slowly pulled my hand away from the folder and let it drop to my side. I lifted my chin, looking past the bright light to meet his piercing blue eyes. "I was looking for the truth. I guess that’s hard to find in this house."Dante let out a low, dark laugh obviously without any real humor. He set his glass down on the desk with a heavy snap and slowly stood up.His physical presence took over the office. He was huge, and his broad shoulders blocked the moonlight as he stepped out from behind the desk."The truth," Dante murmured, stopping a mere two feet away from me. He

Portia’s POV“….and I brought some fresh pineapple slices for your room, please If you need anything at all, the staff is at your service Mrs Salvatore" Grace finished, her voice snapping me out of my paralyzing fear.She set the silver knife down onto a wooden cutting board on the side table, right next to a small platter of fruit I hadn't even noticed. Grace smiled warmly, completely oblivious to the fact that I had just stopped breathing."Thank you, Grace," I managed to choke out, forcing my hands to stop shaking.Once she left, the silence of the East Wing swallowed me whole. I spent the entire night pacing the floor, unable to sleep a single wink. My mind ran in circles, while my heart ached with the heavy, crushing weight of my new reality, grief completely consuming me.************The morning sun streaming through the windows of the East Wing brought zero warmth. It did nothing to ease the restless energy buzzing under my skin. I woke up in a bed larger than my entire childh

Portia’s POVPeople say grief makes you numb, but as I stood in my family's grand library, all I felt was the crushing, physical weight of it.The room still carried the scent of my father's favorite pipe tobacco and the fresh jasmine my mother always kept arranged in the vases. Just days ago, they were alive, laughing at the dinner table, grounded and real. Today, my brothers were tearing their names apart."Sign the contract, Portia. Stop being a selfish bitch and just sign it."Dominic’s voice shattered the heavy silence. I watched my oldest brother standing by the bar, his hands trembling violently as he poured his third glass of scotch. At thirty, he was supposed to be the anchor of the Vance family after our parents' sudden, horrific car crash. Instead, he was falling apart."I am not signing my life away to a criminal based on a piece of paper I haven't even verified," I said.My voice came out steady, a stark contrast to my hands, which desperately wanted to shake. I was only